Day 1:
Evening arrival in Honolulu via West Jet. Transfer to your hotel.
Welcome to the iconic destination that has fascinated travellers for centuries - beautiful Hawai'i. With its rich history and diverse culture, Blyth Academy is pleased to offer this very special learning journey. The history of Hawai'i goes back centuries with Polynesians from the Marquesas Islands who were superb voyageurs, migrating to these spectacular shores more than 1,600 years ago. These intrepid adventurers led only by their desire to explore and by the light of the stars, helped build an already thriving and rich Polynesian culture. Claiming descent from the greatest gods, they became the new rulers of Hawai`i and further contributed to the rich diversity of cultures we will now experience first-hand.
A welcome orientation meeting with the group.
Dinner at the hotel or a local restaurant.
Overnight Oahu.
Day 2: Polynesian Culture(s) and the Environment
Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast, the group will gather for class time. The opportunity to learn about Hawai'i and Pacific Islands culture and history provide a fascinating starting point for student inquiry.
The students will continue to deepen their understanding of some of the essential guiding questions for the course:
Within the context of Hawai'i's rich history, students will be encouraged to think about why issues of fairness, equity and social justice are important. They will be encouraged to think about their role as global citizens and to reflect on what makes us different and/or the same.
Students will explore the foundations of equity and social justice within the context of understanding the power of cultural exchange within the context of Pacific Islands cultures while being encouraged to explore specific Canadian and global issues that have informed and continue to challenge social justice practices.
Free time for lunch (on your own)
After lunch, the group will have an opportunity to experience the unique "vibe" of Hawai'i and to deepen their appreciation for the melding of Pacific Island cultures. The group will have some free time at a nearby Fort DeRussy Beach and some free time for souvenir shopping at a nearby shopping mall.
Return to the hotel and gather for a group dinner either at the hotel or at a local restaurant.
Overnight Oahu.
Day 3: Environmental Stewardship (Diamond Head and Ala Moana)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today's experiential learning opportunities will focus on the course guiding questions around social justice and individual responsibility.
The students will start their day by taking public transport to the summit of Diamond Head (approximately 4km away). This iconic volcanic crater offers panoramic views of Honolulu and the surrounding coastline. Students will have an opportunity to appreciate the stunning beauty of these incredible islands that makes Hawai'i an amazing place to visit. Students will also be encouraged to contextualize their experiences through deepening reflection and inquiry on the impacts of climate change and other forces on Hawai'i's natural beauty. This excursion provides the perfect opportunity for students to reflect about how they can act as agents of social change in their own communities and on the issues that are most important to them.
The group will return to the hotel for free time for lunch (on your own)
In the afternoon, the students will have an opportunity to work on their course independently. The group will then walk together to the nearby Al Moana Centre for free time and dinner (on your own)
Dinner at the Ala Moana Centre.
Return as a group to the hotel.
Overnight Oahu.
Day 4: Waikīkī Beach: Beauty, Nature and Culture
Breakfast at the hotel.
The importance of social change, advocacy and activism will be an important focus for the day. This morning the group will transfer to spend the day at one of the most iconic and famous places in Hawai'i Waikīkī Beach.
The students will have an opportunity to explore the area in small groups with their teachers.
After class, they will have time for lunch (on their own).
After lunch, there will an opportunity for community building with a beach volleyball tournament will be organized by the staff.
The students will transfer back to the hotel for a fun Hawaiian dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight Oahu.
Waikiki Beach
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Lunch
Day 5: Equity and Social Justice: Culture and History and World War II.
Pearl Harbor Memorial, USS Arizona and Pacific Aviation Museum
Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast, the students will transfer by private coach to see the Pearl Harbor Memorial, including the USS Arizona Memorial and the Pacific Aviation Museum. The students will have an opportunity to engage with these iconic sites and their representation in various media and from various perspectives as part of their deepening appreciation of the course guiding questions. They will be encouraged to contextualize their experiences and to deepen their understanding of the impact of culture, history, and the media on the lived experience of those impacted by the horrors of War and contemporary resonance across cultures even today.
After the tour, they will enjoy some free time for lunch (on your own)
In the afternoon, students will have time at the hotel for class, independent study, or work on their culminating performance project for the course.
Group dinner at the hotel or a local restaurant.
Overnight Oahu.
Day 6: Equity, Culture, History and Social Justice: Polynesian Culture(s)
Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast, the students will have class time. The students will be encouraged to reflect on the importance of the course essential questions including the importance of social justice, the need for advocacy, their role as global citizens and what makes us different and/or the same?
Students will have free time to get lunch (on their own)
The afternoon will include a fascinating and unique opportunity to learn about the history and culture of the Polynesian peoples in Hawai'i while enjoying a group guided tour at the Polynesian Cultural Centre. They will explore a series of authentic island villages and enjoy a Alii Luau buffet with live entertainment.
The excursion to the Polynesian Cultural centre including a Luah dinner.
Overnight Oahu.
Day 7: Free Day
Breakfast at the hotel.
This will be a free day to visit nearby beaches for snorkelling in shallow water in teacher-led groups.
Mini-golf (at the hotel on-site facilities) before dinner.
Group farewell dinner.
Overnight Oahu.
Day 8: Farewell and Reflection
Enjoy some free time for shopping or exploring before departing for the airport.
Depart HNL on flight WS1887 at 9:00pm
Day 9: Home
Arrive back home to Toronto after your overnight flight.
